China is expected to unveil next month a new, lighter generation tank designed to withstand drone attacks and adapted for amphibious operations, such as a possible scenario in Taiwan.
The vehicle was spotted during rehearsals for the military parade in Beijing, scheduled for September 3, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan in World War II.
According to experts, the model represents a shift in China’s strategy regarding the role of armored vehicles in modern conflicts, following lessons from the war in Ukraine, where thousands of tanks were destroyed or captured.
The new vehicle, of medium weight and lighter than the main Type 99A tank, is expected to be part of the advanced equipment showcased at the event.
The tank features the GL6 active protection system and a phased array radar with 360-degree vision, capable of detecting threats and automatically deploying countermeasures against missiles, rockets, and drones. Analysts say this type of technology significantly increases battlefield survivability, reducing the vulnerability of armored vehicles to new forms of aerial attack.
Source: South China Morning Post | Photo: X @lfx160219 | This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team
Airborne tracked armored infantry fighting combat vehicle.
Airborne armored personnel carrier.
Airborne capable 120mm Gun-Mortar (hybrid of gun-mortar-howitzer). pic.twitter.com/YIqqwF5MnG
— 笑脸男人 (@lfx160219) August 17, 2025
